Dr Muhammad Khan
ISLAM is a religion of peace and love among all believers and for the rest of humanity. The Holy Quran and Sunnah are the two sources of Islam. Holy Prophet (PBUH) said during his last sermon “O People! No Prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore O People! and understand words that I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.” In the light of the directive of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), all Muslims must follow the teachings of Islam. The essence of Islamic teachings, driven from Holy Quran and Sunnah are promotion of peace and love among all Muslims through unity.
As an ideological state, Pakistan has the distinction to be a true Islamic state, created to experience the golden principles of Islam; the Holy Quran and Sunnah. For Muslims, there is One God (Allah), One Prophet (PBUH), the Holy Quran and Sunnah, leaving no chance of any division or split; sectarianism. Unfortunately, there developed sectarianism among the Muslims which caused harm to this great Ummah. Today, sectarianism is hurting the Muslim world on almost all fronts. Based on the sectarian divide the anti-Islam forces are exploiting the Muslims all over the world.
In Pakistan, there has been some sectarian based violence in the past. However, successive governments and the state institutions have been able to dismiss the long-term impact of this menace. One such effort was a unanimous Fatwa, agreed from all sects in the form of “Paigham-i-Pakistan” Indeed, this Fatwa created a narrative of unity, peace and love among all sects and the people of Pakistan. In the light of violent extremism and militancy in the country, “Paigham-i-Pakistan” is a counter terrorism and counter extremism a narrative (Fatwa). It was a well conceived narrative having inputs from scholars of almost all sects in Pakistan. The narrative is nothing new, but a reiteration of the essence of Islam, which rejects the very basis of extremism, radicalization and terrorism and indeed sectarian divide.
Indeed, the Constitution of Pakistan is in line with the teaching of Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (PBUH). If we follow the Constitution of Pakistan in true letter and in spirit, all evils in the implementation of rule of business and obstacles in the implementation of true teaching will be removed. “It is our foremost responsibility that we must hold this foundation (Constitution). It is the base which will provide us the strength to achieve a dignified place in the comity of nations and enable us to meet the challenges at national level.”
Being the worst sufferers of terrorism, the people of Pakistan have unanimously rejected the narratives of all terrorist organizations, since they are against Islam and humanity. The word Islam itself denotes peace and Holy Quran ‘teaches love and compassion for every human being’ irrespective of their religion. Indeed, Islam denounces terrorism and the violent and intolerant beliefs. Truly the radicalization, the extremism and the terrorism is not the agenda of Muslims and Islam. There is a need for the farsightedness among the Muslim world; the ruling elite can remove the basic anomalies and disparities, found among the masses of the Muslim world. Addressing the socio-economic deprivations would create the element of trust among the ruling class and the deprived masses. A good governance calls for a better care of the masses in all respects. This is the essence of Islam and humanity. Let’s have a positive usage of Islam as a religion as per its essence. The current anti-Islam narratives of terrorists, while taking cover of Islam have created a scare among the youth. Let’s promote the education for discarding the narratives of terrorists as well as of those forces, conspiring against education, the religion and the State of Pakistan.
There is an urgent need for Muslim nations to progress and have something positive to show. If we want to correct our direction for the future, it is necessary that society is peaceful and stable without any divide. We must introspect and look within instead of hypothesizing about conspiracies. We need to be ready and accountable in order to undertake this journey. Pakistan was created as a modern and progressive nation, based on the ideology of Islam. Islam is a religion of peace, tranquillity, harmony and interfaith tolerance. The Fatwa, ‘Paigham-i-Pakistan’ provides a platform for national unity. In 21st century, we can make Pakistan a distinguished country, an Asian Tiger, and bring the Quaid’s dream to its logical conclusion.
The future of Pakistan centred on the promotion and practice of true teachings of Islam. The true teachings of Islam are based in the promotion of peace, unity and kindness among all people. According to Islamic teachings, Muslims are bound to stay above malice on the basis of religion and sectarianism. Let’s not allow malevolent elements and external forces to use the Holy Month of Muharram for creating sectarian violence in Pakistan. Paigham-e-Pakistan has already outlawed hate speeches, sectarian violence, terrorism and suicide attacks in Pakistan. Now the Ulema of all Masalik (sects) must preach and promote peace and love among all in the light of Holy Quran and the Sunnah. Since the defence forces of Pakistan have established peace in Pakistan after years of military operations, therefore let’s not allow resurgence of terrorist organizations and their proponents to succeed in their nefarious designs. Let’s be united as an ideological state while respecting each other’s sentiments.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
